As
previously explained in the page dedicated to DEFENSIVE FLOW, the objective of a
breakout is to move the puck as quickly and effectively as possible generating 2
on 1's. However, the term "Breakout" can be miss-leading. A
"breakout" in essence is a term used to describe the action of
"getting the puck out of one's defensive zone". This action can either
be through a "clearing" action, " "play action", or by
"skating it out".

We must
then separate each basic concept and isolate strategies involved.

In order
to fully comprehend breakout philosophies we must isolate the "Intrinsic
components" of the defensive zone itself:

1 -
Boards: How do rebounds come off the base board or wall itself. Are the boards
"dead" or are the edges poor (clean or dirty rims, bank passes, etc)

2 - Glass
and support structure: What is the glass support structure? Seamless (clean
predictable bounces off of the side glass) or support posts (unpredictable
rebounds off of cleaning attempts that deflect into mid ice).

3 -
How high is the side glass (easy out for face-off, or high rebound into
neutral zone)?

4 - Zone
size: What are the dimensions of the zone ( wall to wall, back wall to blue)?

5 - Zone
marking: What are the dimensions and locations of the face-off circles (GT
reference marks), goal - line (space behind the net)

6 - What
is the height of the ceiling (vertical obstructions for high loft clearing
attempts).

7 - What
are the ice conditions; does the ice surface breakout down quickly (brine
freezing temperature or air temperature) which limits quality of passes
(bouncing or rolling pucks) or does the ice take a long time to melt (puck
sticking - over-skating puck)

8 -
Frozen or fresh puck: Are the pucks kept in an ice bucket so when a clearing
attempt goes over the boards a frozen one is brought into the game (effects
face-offs and wall/rim clears).

It
becomes quite clear once the intrinsic components have been analyzed that many
bad turnovers or poor outlet attempts have been the result of one or more of the
above. Aside from the "intrinsic" components of the game or the
environment in which we play, we must take into consideration the players
themselves.

1 - Skill
intelligence: Skating, passing, clearing, face-off, etc, skills and knowing when
and where to use them

2 -
Anticipatory Intelligence: Thinking one step ahead of the forecheck; knowing the
right outlet play.

3 -
Tactical Intelligence: Knowing how the forecheck works and options off of player
movement.

It is
critical that each player knows their own as well as their team-mates skill level, and
play within their limitations. Any action within the defensive zone could be
deemed as high risk. The following diagrams and notations will progress from the
Dump-in to "occupation and turnover" to face-off outlet plays.

In order
to understand options we must first break the zone down into lanes, layers, at
the same time include the most obvious intrinsic component (the net). All of
these factors play a critical role in the success of the
breakout. I have a basic strategy that there is ever really only one great
option. There are usually several options available but if we were to prioritize
all the possibilities, one seems to be better than the rest.

As
previously mentioned, I like to think of hockey as a progression of
"BINARY" thought processes that put together collectively, moves the
puck from one end of the ice to the other. DO I CARRY.....DO I PASS....ETC are
based on, again as previously mentioned, on our ability to observe. What we see
and how we interpret what we see allows us to make calculated decisions. As
well, our ability to observe also allows us to confirm our primary option; that
that particular decision is what we want, and if not, we can make an adjustment immediately.

5 - Over
and Back: Move the puck to far side and return pass back against the flow.

How each
of these plays form is based on the position of the puck as the original or
primary read. The position of the puck is determined by WHERE the puck is picked
up by the primary player. Obviously, the position of the fore-checking and
support players become secondary reads. In the diagrams below, I have shown 4
basic breakout options based on mid-lane or seam puck position. The one constant
is that the net is used as a screen. The position of the fore-checking players
as well as the supporting players determine movement and options.

Where
possession of the puck is gained will in most cases dictate the type of breakout
tactic used. As shown in diagram No. 1, we can in essence break the defensive
zone down into 5 lanes. In reality there are only 3 different variables (seam,
wide-seam, and outside lane) but due to the fact that we have off-wing and
natural sides we can alternately think that there are 5 layers and 6 options (FH
and BH). Relative to the seam we have (1), the "wheel". (2) - strong
side reverse, (3) - over and reverse, (4) - split and reverse (could be
called an "over pass" but due to the proximity of the puck carrier [a]
and receiver [b] to the net we would classify this as a reverse).

In option
(1), the puck carrier uses the net as a screen to trap a checking player behind
the net to create a man advantage up the ice.

In option
(2), the puck carrier is aided by support player who runs a screen and then
supports behind the net.

In option
(3), the puck carrier and the receiver "switch" positions so as to
draw fore-checker across front of net and then reverse pass against the flow.

In option
(4), the rebound has gone to the short side and back side supporting defense-man
provides outlet back against the flow.

In each
of the above diagrams, the primary option utilizes the net. Using the net
whenever possible is critical to creating 2 on 1 options on the breakout.
It is one of the only legal picks/screens that one can use without penalty
(besides using referees, linesmen, and opposition players screening each
other). Using the net properly depends on several criteria:

1 -
Location of support player

2 -
Direction of travel when picking up the puck

3 -
Location and speed of the primary fore-checker.

In the
following diagrams I will analyze primary checker and breakout options resulting
from seam position and supporting defensive player.

Breakouts
strategies can thus be broken down into two distinct variables; those that
utilize the net for screening purposes and those that do not, but use passing
and "FLOW Countering" techniques. This takes us to the outside lanes
and applicable strategies.